2018 FIFA World Cup Stadium Winning Proposal / Wilmotte & Associés

Wilmotte & Associés recently won the competition to design the 2018 FIFA World Cup Stadium in Kaliningra, Russia. Their design features an urban facade that wraps the stadium, consisting of a series of orthogonal screens that respond to the surrounding urban context. The project will be constructed from a primary steel structure, but the upper tier of the stadium will be temporary. The stadium has been designed so that after the tournament completes in 2018, the stands can be dismantled and the upper canopy can be removed. Construction of the 45,000 seat football stadium will begin in 2014. More images and architects’ description after the break.

Kaliningrad, formerly Konigsberg (City of East Prussia until 1945) is a Russian city of 432,000 inhabitants. It is a Russian exclave that borders the Baltic Sea and is isolated from Russian territory by the states of Poland and Lithuania. This particular situation dictated a complex program: in order to host the FIFA World Cup matches there is a requirement for the stadium to hold 45,000 people, but the capacity of the stadium has to be reduced to approximately 25,000 seats when the football competition ends in order for the stadium to continue to be useful to the relatively small population of the region.

The stadium design incorporates a flat sliding operable roof that will allow the stadium to accommodate a diverse range of events such as concerts, large conferences and various other sporting events. In the 220 hectare area surrounding the new stadium the hosting facilities for the World Cup event will be built. These facilities will include village hospitality and a media center. After the international competition ends, the accommodation will be subdivided and absorbed by the surrounding town adding to the existing urban fabric.

The stadium and its facilities will become the centerpiece for the new urban master plan of October Island. The island sits at the centre of the two arms of the River Pregolya : the Pregolya Old and the New Pregolya. The master plan has used the river to develop a network of canals that will help to create a strong identity for this part of the city. An artificial lake and a marina will also be created. Landscaping will be introduced to the island along two axis to form a cross, along the main east-west axis green landscaped areas will be created that continue outwards to meet with the cathedral, these green veins will also extend into the eastern part of the island where it will form a large park. The landscaping along the north-south axis will respond to the ancient fortifications on the site.

Through the design of the landscaping and canals, Wilmotte & Associés have been able to integrate new transport infrastructure that will serve the island. This will include a new bridge over the river creating improved connections to the surrounding territory. The design creates a rich dense urban grid of residential and commercial units that are intertwined with landscaping, canals and places for social events.

Wilmotte & Associés will develop the design with construction and development company NPO Mostovik. The project will be financed by the region of Kaliningrad and the Russian Federation, the design studies for this project will be completed in 2014, and reach final completion in time to host matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Architects: Wilmotte & Associés Location: Kaliningrad, Russia Collaborators: NPO Mostovik & Mersfor Rus OOO Project Management: Kaliningrad Region, Russian Federation Program: Construction of a 45,000 – seat stadium and 220 hectares of land on October Island Area : 50 000 m², 220 hectares Status: Competition (winner) December 2012 Conducting Studies: 2013 Beginning of Construction: 2014 Delivery: 2018